Tracking a reference picture based on a designated picture on an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A method for tracking a reference picture on an electronic device is described. The method includes receiving a bitstream. The method also includes decoding a portion of the bitstream to produce a decoded reference picture. The method further includes tracking the decoded reference picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing based on a designated picture. The method additionally includes decoding a picture based on the decoded reference picture.

RELATED REFERENCES

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/273,191, entitled “TRACKING A REFERENCE PICTURE ON ANELECTRONIC DEVICE,” filed on Oct. 13, 2011, which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein, in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices. Morespecifically, the present disclosure relates to enabling tracking of areference picture.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices have become smaller and more powerful in order tomeet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience.Consumers have become dependent upon electronic devices and have come toexpect increased functionality. Some examples of electronic devicesinclude desktop computers, laptop computers, cellular phones, smartphones, media players, integrated circuits, etc.

Some electronic devices are used for processing and displaying digitalmedia. For example, portable electronic devices now allow for digitalmedia to be consumed at almost any location where a consumer may be.Furthermore, some electronic devices may provide download or streamingof digital media content for the use and enjoyment of a consumer.

The increasing popularity of digital media has presented severalproblems. For example, efficiently representing high-quality digitalmedia for storage, transmittal and playback presents several challenges.As can be observed from this discussion, systems and methods thatrepresent digital media more efficiently may be beneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of one or moreelectronic devices in which systems and methods for tracking a referencepicture based on a designated picture may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a decoder;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method fortracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing based ona designated picture;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of amethod for tracking a reference picture with reduced overheadreferencing based on a designated picture;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of multiple picture setsreferenced by cycle parameters;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of multiple picturesets;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a more specific example of multiple picture setsreferenced by cycle parameters;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method fortracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing based ona designated picture;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a methodfor tracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing basedon a designated picture;

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a methodfor tracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing basedon a designated picture;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating one example of signaling a wrapindicator in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specificconfiguration of a method for tracking a reference picture with reducedoverhead referencing based on a designated picture;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method fordetermining whether a transition has occurred between picture sets;

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specificconfiguration of a method for tracking a reference picture with reducedoverhead referencing based on a designated picture; and

FIG. 15 illustrates various components that may be utilized in anelectronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method for tracking a reference picture on an electronic device isdescribed. The method includes receiving a bitstream. The method alsoincludes decoding a portion of the bitstream to produce a decodedreference picture. The method further includes tracking the decodedreference picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reducedoverhead referencing based on a designated picture. The methodadditionally includes decoding a picture based on the decoded referencepicture. The designated picture may be an instantaneous decoding refresh(IDR) picture. Additionally, a buffer description of the decodedreference picture may include a picture order count (POC), a cycleparameter, a temporal identifier and a scaling parameter.

Tracking the decoded reference picture may include determining a cycleparameter based on the designated picture. The cycle parameter may bereset based on the designated picture.

Tracking the decoded reference picture may include determining a pictureorder count (POC) based on the designated picture. A picture order count(POC) sequence may be reset based on the designated picture.

A resolution of the decoded reference picture may be different from aresolution of the picture. The method may also include processingtransform coefficients of the decoded reference picture based on ascaling parameter to decode the picture.

Tracking the decoded reference picture may include tracking a decodedreference picture collection that includes the decoded referencepicture. Tracking the decoded reference picture may also includeobtaining a buffer description and modifying the buffer description.Modifying the buffer description may include deleting an entry, addingan entry and/or replacing an entry.

An electronic device configured for tracking a reference picture is alsodescribed. The electronic device includes a processor and instructionsstored in memory that is in electronic communication with the processor.The electronic device receives a bitstream. The electronic device alsodecodes a portion of the bitstream to produce a decoded referencepicture. The electronic device further tracks the decoded referencepicture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overheadreferencing based on a designated picture. The electronic deviceadditionally decodes a picture based on the decoded reference picture.

The systems and methods disclosed herein describe several configurationsfor tracking a reference picture based on a designated picture on anelectronic device. For example, the systems and methods disclosed hereindescribe tracking a decoded reference picture in a decoded picturebuffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing. For instance, severalapproaches for long term reference picture signaling are described. Itshould be noted that the decoded picture buffer (DPB) may be a bufferholding decoded pictures for reference, output reordering or outputdelay specified for a hypothetical reference decoder.

On an electronic device, a decoded picture buffer (DPB) may be used tostore reconstructed (e.g., decoded) pictures at a decoder. These storedpictures may then be used, for example, in an inter-predictionmechanism. When pictures are decoded out of order, the pictures may bestored in the DPB so they can be displayed later in order.

In the H.264 or advance video coding (AVC) standard, DPB management(e.g., deletion, addition of pictures, reordering of pictures, etc.) iscarried out using memory management control operations (MMCO). For theupcoming high efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard, more reliable DPBmanagement approaches are under consideration. One example of a morereliable approach is based on absolute signaling of reference picturesas detailed in “Absolute signaling of reference pictures” from the JointCollaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) document JCTVC-F493.

JCTVC-F493 outlines absolute signaling of reference pictures to identifywhich reference pictures should be kept in the decoded picture buffer(DPB). In particular, it outlines two different approaches to identifywhich reference pictures are to be kept in the DPB based on a pictureorder count (POC). The picture order count (POC) may be a variable thatis associated with each encoded picture and has a value that isincreasing with increasing picture position in an output order withwrap-around.

In one example, assume that all pictures have a temporal identifier(temporalID)=0. Further assume that the current POC=5 and that thecurrent DPB contains={3, 2}. Additionally assume that a definition inthe Picture Parameter Set (PPS) is: BufferDescription0={deltaPOC=−1,temporalID=0}, {deltaPOC=−2, temporalID=0}. deltaPOC specifies thedistance in POC value of reference picture from the current picture,where the current picture may be the picture being decoded. One approachgiven is to reference a buffer description in the PPS. In this approach,the slice header of a picture with POC=5 contains a reference toBufferDescription0 in the PPS. Assume that an action is to drop adecoded picture with POC=2 from the DPB and to add a decoded picturewith POC=4 to the DPB. As a result, the DPB then contains={4, 3}.

In one configuration, the buffer description is defined as two listsdenoted POCBD and TemporalIDBD and a variable NumberOfPicturesInBDpresent for all pictures. This is such that POCBD contains picture ordercount values of reference pictures and TemporalIDBD contains thecorresponding temporal identifier of the reference picture, both listscontaining NumberOfPicturesInBD values.

It should be noted that a temporalID may be defined as follows in theJoint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) document JCTVC-F803:“temporalID specifies a temporal identifier for the NAL unit. The valueof temporalID shall be the same for all NAL units of an access unit.When an access unit contains any NAL unit with the nal_unit_type equalto 5, temporalID shall be equal to 0.” It should be noted that NAL maybe an abbreviation for “network abstraction layer.”

Another approach is to explicitly signal the contents of the DPB using adelta POC with respect to the current POC. In this approach, the sliceheader of a picture with POC=5 contains {deltaPOC=−1, temporalID=0} and{deltaPOC=−2, temporalID=0}. Assume that an action is to drop a decodedpicture with POC=2 from the DPB and to add a decoded picture POC=4 tothe DPB. As a result, the new DPB contains={4, 3}.

Some advantages of the approaches given by JCTVC-F493 are as follows.The approaches in JCTVC-F493 provide a simple mechanism. Furthermore, aloss of a picture is easily detected at the decoder. Additionally,dropping of entire layers of pictures with a higher temporal ID may bedetected and well supported.

However, some disadvantages of the approaches given in JCTVC-F493 aregiven hereafter. The bit overhead for signaling a long-term referencepicture can become large. Furthermore, a fixed number of bits may beallocated to communicate a POC. As a result, when a maximum valueallowed by the number of bits being used is reached, the POC numberingshould wrap around to 0. Thus, it may not be possible to guarantee thatpictures can be uniquely identified using the POC.

The systems and methods disclosed herein may help to mitigate thesedisadvantages. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed hereinmay be beneficial by reducing the overhead associated with absolute longterm picture referencing and may enable pictures to be uniquelyidentified (e.g., a long-term (reference) picture may not be confusedwith other short-term or long-term pictures and vice-versa).

The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide one or moreadditional benefits that are described as follows. One or moreconfigurations of the systems and methods disclosed herein may make fulluse of the available POC numbering space [0, . . . , MaxPOC−1], whereMaxPOC=2^(log2) ^(—) ^(max) ^(—) ^(pic) ^(—) ^(order) ^(—) ^(cnt) ^(—)^(minus4+4) and log 2_max_pic_order_cnt_minus4 specifies the value ofthe variable MaxPOC that is used in the decoding process for pictureorder count. For example, one prior approach to resolving re-use of [0,. . . , MaxPOC−1] after a POC wrap-around advocates that the POCcurrently in use are stepped over when assigning an identifier (e.g., aPOC number) to a picture. This results in part of the POC space notbeing used. However, the systems and methods disclosed herein mayresolve the stepping over of POC and the associated POC space shrinkageissue.

Another benefit may be that some configurations of the systems andmethods disclosed herein for signaling may be self-contained in eachpicture. Thus, error resilience may be better compared to a scheme thatrelies on information propagation from previous pictures (that could getlost or dropped). For example, one configuration of the decoded picturebuffer (DPB) description does not rely on information embedded in otherpictures to maintain the same DPB as an encoder.

Yet another benefit of some configurations of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein may be that if a picture is lost, the loss can bedetected as soon as a buffer description is available at the decoder(which is at the next received picture). This allows the decoder to takecorrective action. Yet another benefit is that if the POC resolution issufficient, no extra bits are required.

Various configurations are now described with reference to the Figures,where like reference numbers may indicate functionally similar elements.The systems and methods as generally described and illustrated in theFigures herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety ofdifferent configurations. Thus, the following more detailed descriptionof several configurations, as represented in the Figures, is notintended to limit scope, as claimed, but is merely representative of thesystems and methods.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of one or moreelectronic devices 104 in which systems and methods for tracking areference picture based on a designated picture may be implemented. Inthis example, electronic device A 104 a and electronic device B 104 bare illustrated. However, it should be noted that the features and/orfunctionality described in relation to electronic device A 104 a andelectronic device B 104 b may be combined into a single electronicdevice in some configurations.

Electronic device A 104 a includes an encoder 108 and an overheadsignaling module 112. Each of the elements included within electronicdevice A 104 a (e.g., the encoder 108 and the overhead signaling module112) may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both.

Electronic device A 104 a may obtain an input picture 106. In someconfigurations, the input picture 106 may be captured on electronicdevice A 104 a using an image sensor, retrieved from memory and/orreceived from another electronic device.

The encoder 108 may encode the input picture 106 to produce encoded data110. For example, the encoder 108 may encode a series of input pictures106 (e.g., video). In one configuration, the encoder 108 may be ahigh-efficiency video coding (HEVC) encoder. The encoded data 110 may bedigital data (e.g., a bitstream).

The overhead signaling module 112 may generate overhead signaling basedon the encoded data 110. For example, the overhead signaling module 112may add overhead data to the encoded data 110 such as slice headerinformation, picture parameter set (PPS) information, picture ordercount (POC), reference picture designation, etc. In some configurations,the overhead signaling module 112 may produce a wrap indicator thatindicates a transition between two sets of pictures.

More detail on kinds of overhead signaling that may be produced byelectronic device A 104 a is given below. In particular, none, one ormore of the parameters, indicators or kinds of information described inrelation to decoding below may be produced by the overhead signalingmodule 112, depending on the configuration. It should be noted that theoverhead signaling module 112 may be included within the encoder 108 insome configurations. The overhead signaling module 112 may enablepicture tracking with reduced overhead referencing.

The encoder 108 (and overhead signaling module 112, for example) mayproduce a bitstream 114. The bitstream 114 may include encoded picturedata based on the input picture 106. In some configurations, thebitstream 114 may also include overhead data, such as slice headerinformation, PPS information, etc. More detail on overhead data is givenbelow. As additional input pictures 106 are encoded, the bitstream 114may include one or more encoded pictures. For instance, the bitstream114 may include one or more encoded reference pictures and/or otherpictures.

The bitstream 114 may be provided to a decoder 102. In one example, thebitstream 114 may be transmitted to electronic device B 104 b using awired or wireless link. In some cases, this may be done over a network,such as the Internet or a Local Area Network (LAN). As illustrated inFIG. 1, the decoder 102 may be implemented on electronic device B 104 bseparately from the encoder 108 on electronic device A 104 a. However,it should be noted that the encoder 108 and decoder 102 may beimplemented on the same electronic device in some configurations. In animplementation where the encoder 108 and decoder 102 are implemented onthe same electronic device, for instance, the bitstream 114 may beprovided over a bus to the decoder 102 or stored in memory for retrievalby the decoder 102.

The decoder 102 may be implemented in hardware, software or acombination of both. In one configuration, the decoder 102 may be ahigh-efficiency video coding (HEVC) decoder. The decoder 102 may receive(e.g., obtain) the bitstream 114. The decoder 102 may generate a decodedpicture 118 (e.g., one or more decoded pictures 118) based on thebitstream 114. The decoded picture 118 may be displayed, played back,stored in memory and/or transmitted to another device, etc.

The decoder 102 may include a reference picture tracking module 116. Thereference picture tracking module 116 may enable the decoder 102 totrack a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing. Forexample, the reference picture tracking module 116 may track a referencepicture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) using less overhead than isneeded with prior approaches, such as approaches given in JCTVC-F493.

In prior approaches, for example, non-reduced overhead referencing maybe used to specify the relationship between a current picture and a longterm reference picture. In prior approaches, for instance, therelationship between a current picture and a long term reference picturemay be specified by increasing the POC numbering space and therebyavoiding the POC wraparound issue. However, increasing the POC numberingspace can only be achieved at the expense of an increasedbit-requirement for POC. This example is one of several possiblemechanisms that can be used to avoid the POC wrap around issue in priorapproaches. However, this particular example demonstrates the largeroverhead aspect for long-term pictures in prior approaches.

JCTVC-F493, for example, used a longterm_poc[i] field in a bufferdescription that specified an absolute POC and a longterm_temporal_id[i]field in the buffer description that specified a temporal ID for a longterm picture. This was later removed in JCTVC-F803, which did notinclude a mechanism for long term pictures. In subsequent discussions,an approach of stepping over (long term picture) POCs was given.

Problems may arise with the prior approaches. First, a large amount ofoverhead data may be needed to specify the relationship between a longterm reference picture and another picture. For instance, a large numberof overhead bits may need to be allocated to adequately represent aninteger number difference in POC between the long term reference pictureand another picture. Second, if a limited number of bits is specified torepresent this difference, the difference may be ambiguously indicatedwhen numbers are reused (because of number set cycling, for example).

The reference picture tracking module 116 may use one or more approachesor methods that are described in greater detail below in order to reducereferencing overhead. Some examples include using a cycle parameter anddecrementing the cycle parameter based on wrap indicators or transitionsbetween sets of pictures.

It should be noted that a “reference picture” described herein mayinstead be a reference picture collection (e.g., group of frames) insome configurations. Accordingly, a “decoded reference picture”described herein may instead be a “decoded reference picture collection”in some configurations. For example, a reference picture collection maybe applied in place of a single reference picture as described inconjunction with the systems and methods disclosed herein. The referencepicture collection may include one or more reference pictures. Two ormore reference pictures in the reference picture collection maycorrespond to the same time instant or different (e.g., similar) timeinstances. For example, in a 3-dimensional (3D) coding scenario, abitstream 114 contains multiple pictures, where some pictures may referto a left view and some pictures may refer to a right view. Thus, thereference picture collection may identify both the left and rightpictures that correspond to a specific display time.

In another example, such as a scalable coding scenario, a bitstream maycontain pictures of different resolutions. In this example, thereference picture collection may include (e.g., identify) differentresolution versions of the same picture.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of a decoder202. The decoder 202 may be included in an electronic device 204. Forexample, the decoder 202 may be a high-efficiency video coding (HEVC)decoder. The decoder 202 and/or one or more of the elements illustratedas included in the decoder 202 may be implemented in hardware, softwareor a combination of both. The decoder 202 may receive a bitstream 214(e.g., one or more encoded pictures included in the bitstream 214) fordecoding. In some configurations, the received bitstream 214 may includereceived overhead information, such as a received slice header, receivedPPS, received buffer description information, etc. The encoded picturesincluded in the bitstream 214 may include one or more encoded referencepictures and/or one or more other encoded pictures.

Received symbols (in the one or more encoded pictures included in thebitstream 214) may be entropy decoded by an entropy decoding module 254,thereby producing a motion information signal 256 and quantized, scaledand/or transformed coefficients 258.

The motion information signal 256 may be combined with a portion of areference frame signal 284 from a frame memory 264 at a motioncompensation module 260, which may produce an inter-frame predictionsignal 268. The quantized, descaled and/or transformed coefficients 258may be inverse quantized, scaled and inverse transformed by an inversemodule 262, thereby producing a decoded residual signal 270. The decodedresidual signal 270 may be added to a prediction signal 278 to produce acombined signal 272. The prediction signal 278 may be a signal selectedfrom either the inter-frame prediction signal 268 or an intra-frameprediction signal 276 produced by an intra-frame prediction module 274.In some configurations, this signal selection may be based on (e.g.,controlled by) the bitstream 214.

The intra-frame prediction signal 276 may be predicted from previouslydecoded information from the combined signal 272 (in the current frame,for example). The combined signal 272 may also be filtered by ade-blocking filter 280. The resulting filtered signal 282 may be writtento frame memory 264. The resulting filtered signal 282 may include adecoded picture.

The frame memory 264 may include a decoded picture buffer (DPB) asdescribed herein. The DPB may include one or more decoded pictures thatmay be maintained as short or long term reference frames. The framememory 264 may also include overhead information corresponding to thedecoded pictures. For example, the frame memory 264 may include sliceheaders, picture parameter set (PPS) information, cycle parameters,buffer description information, etc. One or more of these pieces ofinformation may be signaled from an encoder (e.g., encoder 108, overheadsignaling module 112).

The decoder 202 may include a reference picture tracking module 216. Thereference picture tracking module 216 may track one or more referencepictures in the frame memory 264 with reduced referencing overhead. Inone example, the reference picture tracking module 216 may track longterm reference pictures using a cycle parameter and modifying (e.g.,decrementing) the cycle parameter based on received wrap indicators. Inanother example, an update of all reference picture cycle parameters maybe carried out with respect to the picture being decoded. This updateprocedure may be executed once for the current picture (e.g., thepicture being decoded). The transition between cycles may be kept trackof implicitly with the help of the POC. At times the cycle parameter maybe increased (when the transition is from picture set ‘n’ to picture set‘n−1’ as may occur in out-of-order picture decoding, for example).Greater detail on one or more approaches to tracking a reference picturebased on a designated picture is given below.

Some configurations of the systems and methods disclosed herein may usea modified buffer description. Examples of the modified bufferdescription are given hereafter. The buffer description may be modifiedto include “POC,” “poc_cycle” and “temporalID” for long-term referencepictures. It should be noted that “poc_cycle” may be one example of thecycle parameter described herein. The (modified) buffer descriptions,(modified) syntaxes and/or parameters given in accordance with thesystems and methods disclosed herein may enable reduced overheadreferencing.

Table (1) below gives one example comparing the buffer descriptionwithin the PPS in a prior approach and one proposed approach inaccordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein. The priorapproach is detailed in the “candidate working draft text of ad-hocgroup 21” document (AHG21) that was created to further the work inJCTVC-F493. It should be noted that AHG21 (JCTVC-F803) separately groupsand specifies “negative pictures” (e.g., those that have negativedeltaPOC values) and “positive pictures” (e.g., those pictures that havepositive deltaPOC values).

TABLE (1) AHG21 Buffer Description Proposed Buffer DescriptiondeltaPOC₀, temporalID₀ deltaPOC₀, temporalID₀ deltaPOC₁, temporalID₁deltaPOC₁, temporalID₁ deltaPOC₂, temporalID₂ deltaPOC₂, temporalID₂deltaPOC₃, temporalID₃ (POC₀, poc_cycles₀, temporalID₃) deltaPOC₄,temporalID₄ (POC₁, poc_cycles₁, temporalID₄)In Table (1) illustrated above, (POC₀, poc_cycles₀, temporalID₃) and(POC₁, poc_cycles₁, temporalID₄) represent long-term (reference)pictures. It should be noted that the buffer description may contain twolists POCBD and TemporalIDBD for short-term reference pictures(corresponding to POC and TemporalID fields, respectively). Furthermore,the buffer description may contain three lists: POCBD, POC_CYCLE_BD andTemporalIDBD for long-term reference pictures (corresponding to POC,poc_cycle and TemporalID fields, respectively).

In some configurations, multiple buffer descriptions are defined in thepicture parameter set. Each buffer description, with index i, containslists for reference pictures: POCBD_pps[i], POC_CYCLE_pps[i],DeltaPOCBD_pps[i] and TemporalIDBD_pps[i] and a variableNumberOfPicturesInBD_pps[i]. The i-th list of POCBD_pps[i] containspicture order count values of reference pictures. The i-th list ofPOC_CYCLE_pps[i] contains poc_cycle values of reference pictures. Thei-th list of TemporalIDBD_pps[i] contains the corresponding temporalidentifier of the reference picture. Furthermore, the i-th list ofTemporalIDBD_pps[i] contains NumberOfPicturesInBD_pps[i] entries. Thecollection of lists are referred to as POC_pps, POC_CYCLE_pps,DeltaPOCBD_pps and TemporalIDBD_pps. For deltaPOC referencing, a singlelist DeltaPOCBD_pps[i] contains the deltaPOC values of referencepictures. It should be noted that in the candidate working draft text ofad-hoc group 21, DeltaPOCBD_pps may be referred to as DeltaPOCBD. Thesum of the entries in the list POCBD_pps[i] and the listDeltaPOCBD_pps[i] is given by the value NumberOfPicturesInBD_pps[i].Moreover, the number of entries in POCBD_pps[i] and POC_CYCLE_pps[i] arethe same.

It should be noted that the syntax given in AHG21 does not adequatelysupport fixed long term referencing. Listing (1) below illustrates oneexample of a bitstream syntax modification required to a candidateworking draft text of ad-hoc group 21 (AHG21). The changes due to theprior approach are given in bold text in Listing (1).

Listing (1) /* Picture parameter set RBSP syntax  ue(v): Unsignedinteger, entropy coded variable length  se(v): Signed integer, entropycoded variable length  u(x): Unsigned x-bit(s) integer */pic_parameter_set_rbsp( ) {  ... bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions //u(2) positive_pictures_in_buffer_descriptions_flag //u(1)  number_of_bds//ue(v)  if( number_of_bds > 0 ) {   for(i = 0; i < number_of_bds; i++){   number_of_negative_pictures_pps[i] //ue(v)    for( j = 0; j <number_of negative_pictures_pps[i]; j++ ) {     ...    }    if(positive_pictures_in_buffer_descriptions_flag ){    number_of_positive_pictures_pps[i] //ue(v)     for( j = 0; j <number_of_positive_pictures_pps[i]; j++ ) {     delta_poc_minus_one_pps[i][j] //ue(v)      if(bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions > 0 )      temporal_id_positive_pps[i][j]  //u(v)     }    }   number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i] //ue(v)    for( j = 0; j <number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i]; j++ ) {     poc_pps[i][j] //ue(v)    poc_cycle_pps[i][j] //ue(v) or se(v) may be used     if(bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions > 0 )     temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j] //u(v)    }   }  }  ... }

Examples of descriptions of the parameters in Listing (1) are given asfollows. number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i] specifies the number ofentries in the list POCBD_pps[i] and POC_CYCLE_BD_pps[i]. The value ofnumber_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i] shall be in the range of 0 tomax_num_ref_frames, inclusive. max_num_ref_frames specifies the maximumnumber of short term and long term reference frames. poc_pps[i][j]specifies POC value and defines the value of the variablePOCBD_pps[i][j] as POCBD_pps[i][j]=poc_pps[i][j]. poc_pps[i][j] shall bein the range of 0 to MaxPOC−1.

poc_cycle_pps[i][j] specifies poc_cycle (e.g., the cycle parameter)value and defines the value of the variable POC_CYCLE_BD_pps as:POC_CYCLE_BD_pps[i][j]=poc_cycle_pps[i][j]. poc_cycle_pps[i][j] (e.g.,the cycle parameter) may be less than or equal to zero in someconfigurations. In such a case, a signed integer may be used torepresent the cycle parameter. In other configurations, an unsignedinteger may be used to represent the cycle parameter.

temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j] specifies a temporal identifier and shall bepresent if bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions>0.temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j] defines the value of the entries in the listTemporalIDBD_pps[i]. temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j] is added to the listTemporalIDBD_pps[i]. In one configuration of the above, the additionoperation is an appending operation. In another configuration, theappending (or addition) operation is an operation that replaces items inthe list in a predefined order. temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j] shall be inthe range of 0 to max_temporal_layers_minus1, inclusive.max_temporal_layers_minus1+1 specifies the maximum number of temporallayers present in a sequence. It should be noted that the variableNumberOfPicturesInBD_pps[i] may be calculated asnumber_of_negative_pictures_pps[i]+number_of_positive_pictures_pps[i]+number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i].

The negative and positive deltaPOC values for the reference picturetransmitted in the i-th picture parameter set buffer description areadded to the list DeltaPOCBD_pps[i]. In one configuration of the above,the addition operation is an appending operation. In anotherconfiguration, the appending (or addition) operation is an operationthat replaces items in the list in a predefined order.

Listing (2) below illustrates an alternative example configuration wheremultiple buffer descriptions may be created within a PPS with differentcycle parameters (e.g., poc_cycles) using the following syntax. Thechanges due to the prior approach are given in bold text in Listing (2).

Listing (2) /* Picture parameter set RBSP syntax  ue(v): Unsignedinteger, entropy coded variable length  se(v): Signed integer, entropycoded variable length  u(x): Unsigned x-bit(s) integer */pic_parameter_set_rbsp( ) {  ... bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions //u(2) positive_pictures_in_buffer_descriptions_flag //u(1)  number_of_bds//ue(v)  if( number_of_bds > 0 ) {   for(i = 0; i < number_of_bds; i++){   number_of_negative_pictures_pps[i] //ue(v)    for( j = 0; j <number_of_negative_pictures_pps[i]; j++ ) {     ...    }    if(positive_pictures_in_buffer_descripiions_flag ){    number_of_positive_pictures_pps[i] //ue(v)     for( j = 0; j <number_of_positive_pictures_pps[i]; j++ ) {     delta_poc_minus_one_pps[i][j] //ue(v)      if(bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions > 0 )       temporal_id_positive_pps[i][j] //u(v)     }    }   number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i] //ue(v)    for( j = 0; j <number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i]; j++ ) {     poc_pps[i][j] //ue(v)    poc_cycle_pps[i][j] //ue(v) or se(v) may be used    poc_cycle_steps_flag//u(1)     if (poc_cycle_steps_flag) {     poc_cycle_steps //ue(v)     }     if(bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions > 0 )     temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j] //u(v)    }   }  }  ... }

In Listing (2), examples of descriptions of further parameters are givenas follows. When set to 1, poc_cycle_steps_flag specifies thatadditional buffer descriptions shall be generated for the signaledbuffer description model that are identical to the signaled bufferdescription model except for the poc_cycle count. poc_cycle_steps_flagshall be 0 by default. Furthermore, poc_cycle_steps specifies the numberof additional buffer descriptions that shall be generated for thesignaled buffer description model. The additional buffer descriptionsshall be identical to the signaled buffer description except that thepoc_cycle count shall be decreased. In one configuration, the additionalbuffer descriptions generated have poc_cycle_pps[i][j] values of −1, −2,−3, . . . , −(poc_cycle_steps).

In some configurations, resolution switching may be enabled within abitstream. In these configurations, the resolution of the referencepictures may be different from the resolution of the current picture.Thus, it may be beneficial to know which mechanism may be used to scalethe reference pictures to the right resolution. One way of signaling themechanism is to signal it explicitly along with the buffer description.For example, an encoder 108 (e.g., overhead signaling module 112) maysignal a scaling parameter s to the decoder 102. Thus, an alternativebuffer description may be shown in Table (2).

TABLE (2) Alternative Buffer Description deltaPOC₀, temporalID₀deltaPOC₁, temporalID₁ deltaPOC₂, temporalID₂, s₀ (POC₀, poc_cycles₀,temporalID₃, s₁) (POC₁, poc_cycles₁, temporalID₄, s₂)

In Table (2), the first two entries have the resolution matching that ofthe current picture. However the remaining three entries have adifferent resolution and may use the scaling parameter, s₀, s₁, s₂,respectively. The scaling parameter may be signaled selectively. Forexample, it may be signaled only if the current picture and thereference picture have a different resolution. In another configuration,the scaling parameter may always be signaled. In yet anotherconfiguration the scaling parameter may be inferred implicitly (by adecoder), for example, by using a look up table indexed by currentpicture characteristics (e.g., resolution) and the referenced picturecharacteristics (e.g., resolution).

In one configuration, the scaling parameter signals (e.g., indicates)the change in horizontal and/or vertical resolution in pixels. In oneconfiguration, the scaling parameter signals (e.g., indicates) the ratiobetween the desired and original horizontal and/or vertical resolution.In one configuration, the scaling parameter is a 2-tuple, where thefirst value identifies scaling for the horizontal resolution and thesecond value identifies scaling for the vertical resolution.

In some configurations, the transform coefficients of the referencepicture may be processed based on the scaling parameter to obtain thedesired resolution. This may be beneficial to enable better resolutionadaptation by allowing only block sizes larger than a certain thresholdwhile coding the reference picture.

In yet another configuration, the reconstructed pixels of the referencepicture may be processed based on the scaling parameter to obtain thedesired resolution. It should be noted that these configurations may beapplied to all reference picture indexing schemes disclosed herein.

Listing (3) illustrates another example of syntax modification for thePPS from AHG21. In particular, Listing (3) illustrates one example ofbuffer description syntax used in slice headers as outlined in AHG21.However, modifications to the syntax given in AHG21 in accordance withthe systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold text inListing (3).

Listing (3) /* ue(v): Unsigned integer, entropy coded variable length se(v): Signed integer, entropy coded variable length  u(x): Unsignedx-bit(s) integer */ buffer_description( ) {  bd_reference_flag  //u(1) if(bd_reference_flag == 1) {   bd_idx  //u(v)  bd_poc_cycle_update_flag //u(1)   if (bd_poc_cycle_update_flag == 1)   for( j = 0; j < number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[bd_idx];    j++ ) {    poc_cycle_pps_override[j] //may be ue(v) or se(v)    }  } else {  number_of_negative_pictures   //ue(v)   for( i = 0; i < number_ofnegative_pictures; i++ ) {   ...   }   if(positive_pictures_in_buffer_descriptions_flag ){   ...   }  number_of_longterm_pictures    //ue(v)   for( j = 0; j <number_of_longterm_pictures; j++ ) {    poc[j]  //ue(v)   poc_cycle[j]  //may be ue(v) or se(v)    if(bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions > 0 )    temporal_id_poc[j] //u(v)   }   if( number_of_negative_pictures +  number_of_positive_pictures <    max_num_ref_frames ) {   combine_with_reference_flag //u(1)    if( combine_with_reference_flag)     bd_combination_idx //u(v)   }  } }

Examples of descriptions of the parameters in Listing (3) are given asfollows. A bd_poc_cycle_update_flag equal to 1 specifies that thepoc_cycle_pps[bd_idx][j] of the referenced buffer description should beoverridden for the current picture. In some configurations, futureframes may also override poc_cycle information. Ifbd_poc_cycle_update_flag is 0 then the original poc_cycle_pps[bd_idx][j]of the referenced buffer description are to be used.poc_cycle_pps_override[j] specifies the values to be used to overridethe values within the poc_cycle_pps[bd_idx][j] for the current pictureonly. In an alternative configuration, poc_cycle_pps_override[j]specifies an offset. For the current picture only,(poc_cycle_pps[bd_idx][j]+poc_cycle_pps_override[j]) may be used insteadof poc_cycle_pps[bd_idx][j].

number_of_longterm_pictures specifies the number of long term pictureentries in the list POCBD and POC_CYCLE_BD. The value ofnumber_of_longterm_pictures shall be in the range of 0 tomax_num_ref_frames, inclusive. max_num_ref_frames specifies the maximumnumber of short term and long term reference frames. poc[j] specifiesPOC value and defines the value of the variable POCBD[j] asPOCBD[j]=poc[j]. poc[j] shall be in the range of 0 to MaxPOC−1.poc_cycle[j] (e.g., the cycle parameter) specifies poc_cycle value anddefines the value of the variable POC_CYCLE_BD asPC_CYCLE_BD[j]=poc_cycle[j]. poc_cycle[j] may be less than or equal tozero or may occupy a different numerical range.

temporal_id_poc[j] specifies a temporal identifier and shall berepresented by bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions bits.temporal_id_poc[j] defines the value of the variable TemporalIDBD[j] asTemporalIDBD[j]=temporal_id_poc[j]. temporal_id_poc[i][j] shall be inthe range of 0 to max_temporal_layers_minus1, inclusive.max_temporal_layers_minus1+1 specifies the maximum number of temporallayers present in a sequence. In this approach, buffer description B maybe omitted from PPS.

In some configurations, number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[bd_idx] may betransmitted before the “for” loop illustrated in Listing (3), therebyavoiding a dependency on a slice header with PPS. Alternatively,bd_poc_cycle_update_flag may be replaced with another parameter,num_longterm_poccycle_override_count. For example, relevant code inListing (3) above may be replaced with “Ifnum_longterm_poccycle_override_count>0 then For(j=0;j<num_longterm_poccycle_override_count; j++) { . . . }.”

A bd_reference_flag equal to 1 specifies that the buffer description ofthe current picture shall be created using syntax elements nottransmitted in the slice header. In one configuration, the bufferdescription for the current picture is created using syntax elements inthe picture parameter set. A buffer_description_reference_flag equal to0 specifies that the buffer description of the current picture shall becreated by a combination of buffer descriptions transmitted in the sliceheader and buffer descriptions not transmitted in the slice header. Inone configuration, the buffer descriptions not transmitted in the sliceheader are transmitted in the picture parameter set.

bd_idx identifies a buffer description in a set of available bufferdescriptions. In one configuration, bd_idx specifies an index in thelists POCBD_pps, DeltaPOCBD_pps, POC_CYCLE_BD_pps, and TemporalIDBD_ppsthat shall be used for the creation of the buffer description of thecurrent picture.

The values corresponding to deltaPOC referenced pictures in(DeltaPOCBD_pps[bd_idx], TemporalIDBD_pps[bd_idx]) are converted topicture order count (e.g., POC), cycle parameter (e.g., poc_cycle) andtemporal identifier and added to the picture buffer description listsPOCBD, POC_CYCLE_BD and TemporalIDBD. The values in the lists(POCBD_pps[bd_idx], POC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx], TemporalIDBD_pps[bd_idx])corresponding to reference pictures are added to the picture bufferdescription lists POCBD, POC_CYCLE_BD and TemporalIDBD. In oneconfiguration of the above, the addition operation is an appendingoperation. In another configuration, the appending (or addition)operation is an operation that replaces items in the list in apredefined order.

Some examples of ways in which the systems and methods described hereinmay be applied are given hereafter. Assume that a picture with POC=0 onis a long-term (reference) picture used by a picture with POC=MaxPOC−1and a picture with POC=0 from a subsequent picture set. The long-term(reference) picture may be indicated in different ways.

In a first way, there are two buffer descriptions in the PPS, includingbuffer description A: {POC=0,poc_cycle=0,temporalID} and bufferdescription B: {POC=0,poc_cycle=−1,temporalID}. The picture withPOC=MaxPOC−1 will point to buffer description A. The picture with POC=0from the subsequent picture set will refer to buffer description B.

In a second alternative way, the picture with POC=MaxPOC−1 will point tobuffer description A. The picture with POC=0 from the subsequent pictureset will refer to buffer description A and override thepoc_cycle_pps[B][0] value in the slice header to −1.

In some configurations, the list of reference pictures signaled at ahigh level may be modified at a finer level. For example, a list ofreference pictures may be signaled in the buffer description transmittedin the PPS (e.g., signaled at high level). However, the bufferdescription transmitted in the PPS may be modified (e.g., modified at afiner level). For example, the buffer description may be modified bydeleting existing entries. Additionally or alternatively, the bufferdescription information from the PPS may be modified to add new entriesor replace an entry. The buffer description information from the PPS mayalso be modified to add new entries and replace current entries using apredefined mechanism, such as if no empty slots are available. A benefitof allowing modifications is that a higher level of control may beobtained. This may be instead of using the buffer descriptions from thePPS without modification or in addition to or alternatively by replacingonly the first ‘n’ entries.

In some configurations, additional syntax may be defined to replaceentries in the slot list. In this case, the index in the list that isreplaced and the entry that may replace the current entry at that indexwill be specified.

Additionally or alternatively, additional syntax may be defined to addentries in the list with replacement if the slot list has no vacancies.In this case, the index in the list that should be replaced may besignaled explicitly (from the encoder 108 or overhead signaling module112, for example) or inferred implicitly (by the decoder 102, forexample) using some information transmitted earlier in the bitstream.

Listing (4) illustrates another example of syntax modification for thePPS from AHG21. In particular, Listing (4) illustrates another exampleof buffer description syntax used in slice headers as outlined in AHG21.However, modifications to the syntax given in AHG21 in accordance withthe systems and methods disclosed herein are denoted in bold text inListing (4).

Listing (4) /* ue(v): Unsigned integer, entropy coded variable length se(v): Signed integer, entropy coded variable length  u(x): Unsignedx-bit(s) integer */ buffer_description( ) {  bd_reference_flag  //u(1) if(bd_reference_flag = = 1) {   bd_idx  //u(v)  bd_poc_cycle_update_flag //u(1)   if (bd_poc_cycle_update_flag == 1)   for( j = 0; j < number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[bd_idx];    j++ ) {    poc_cycle_pps_override[j] //may be ue(v) or se(v)    }  bd_poc_cycle_delete_count //u(1)   if (bd_poc_cycle_delete_count >0 )   for( j = 0; j < bd_poc_cycle_delete_count; j++ ) {    bd_pps_delete_idx[j] //ue(v)    }   bd_poc_cycle_append_count //u(1)  if (bd_poc_cycle_append_count >0 )    for( j = 0; j <bd_poc_cycle_append_count; j++ ) {     poc_pps_append[j] //ue(v)    poc_cycle_pps_append[j] //may be ue(v)/se(v)    }  } else {  number_of_negative_pictures //ue(v)   for( i = 0; i <number_of_negative_pictures; i++ ) {   ...   }   if(positive_pictures_in_buffer_descriptions_flag ){   ...   }  number_of_longterm_pictures //ue(v)   for( j = 0; j <number_of_longterm_pictures; j++ ) {    poc[j] //ue(v)   poc_cycle[j]  //may be ue(v) or se(v)    if(bits_for_temporal_id_in_buffer_descriptions > 0 )    temporal_id_poc[j] //u(v)   }   if( number_of_negative_pictures +    number_of_positive_pictures <     max_num_ref_frames ) {   combine_with_reference_flag //u(1)    if( combine_with_reference_flag)     bd_combination_idx //u(v)   }  } }

Listing (4) contains many elements similar to that of Listing (3).Listing (4) also contains syntax modifications to the slice header toallow for deletions and/or additions of reference pictures.

Examples of descriptions of the parameters in Listing (4) are given asfollows. A bd_poc_cycle_delete_count specifies the number of entries tobe deleted from the lists: POCBD_pps[bd_idx] andPOC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx] for the current picture (only, for example). Insome configurations, bd_poc_cycle_delete_count may be greater than orequal to 0.

bd_pps_delete_idx[j] specifies that, for the current picture, thePOC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx][bd_pps_delete_idx[j]] entry and thePOCBD_pps[bd_idx][bd_pps_delete_idx[j]] entry are deleted in the twolists. In some configurations, once a picture is deleted, it may nolonger be available for reference by subsequent decoded pictures. Inother configurations, once all the deletions are completed, theremaining entries in the list POCBD_pps[bd_idx] andPOC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx] may be moved towards the initial index (e.g.,zero-th index) to occupy the vacated slots. This process may be carriedout so no empty slots remain between any two occupied slots. Here, aslot corresponds to an entry in the buffer description. For example, ifthe list is [Slot0=A] [Slot1=empty] [Slot2=B] [Slot3=C] [Slot4=empty][Slot 5=D], then after the deletions the entries are moved towards Slot0until no empty slots remain between any two occupied slots. In thisexample, the resulting list is [Slot0=A] [Slot1=B] [Slot2=C] [Slot3=D][Slot4=empty] [Slot 5=empty].

bd_poc_cycle_append_count specifies the number of entries to be appendedto lists: POCBD_pps[bd_idx] and POC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx] for the currentpicture. In some configurations, bd_poc_cycle_append_count may begreater than or equal to 0.

poc_pps_append[j] specifies the POC value to be appended to the listPOCBD_pps[bd_idx] for the current picture (only, for example). In someconfigurations, if any empty slots exist in the list, additions may beperformed starting with the empty slot closest to the zero-index andthen in increasing order of slot index.

poc_cycle_pps_append[j] specifies the poc_cycle value to be appended tothe list POC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx] for the current picture (only, forexample). In some configurations, if any empty slots exist in the list,then the empty slot closest to the zero-index may be filled first.Additionally, slots may be filled in increasing order of slot index. Insome configurations, these operations of overriding entries, deletingentries and appending entries to POCBD_pps[bd_idx] andPOC_CYCLE_BD_pps[bd_idx] are carried out in a pre-defined order.

Some examples of configurations of the systems and methods disclosedherein are given hereafter. In one configuration, the 3-tuple (POC,poc_cycle, temporalID) may be replaced with the 2-tuple (LTSlotIdx,temporalID). LTSlotIndex may be a slot index that points to a locationin the long-term DPB. One possible benefit of this approach is to reducebitrate overhead.

In another configuration, the 3-tuple (POC, poc_cycle, temporalID) maybe replaced with (f(POC, poc_cycle), temporalID), where f(POC,poc_cycle) is a function (e.g., look-up table) that maps the two-tuple(POC, poc_cycle) to an index.

In some configurations, some or all information typically contained inthe PPS and/or in buffer descriptions may be additionally oralternatively carried in an Adaptive Slice Parameter Set or AdaptationParameter Set (APS). This information includes one or more of:number_of_longterm_pictures, poc[j], poc_cycle[j], temporal_id_poc[j],number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i], poc_pps[i][j], poc_cycle_pps[i][j]and temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j]. For example, The Adaptive Slice ParameterSet or Adaptation Parameter Set (APS) may include one or more of anumber of reference pictures (e.g., number_of_longterm_pictures), apicture order count (e.g., poc[j]), a picture order count cycleparameter (e.g., poc_cycle[j]), a temporal identifier picture ordercount parameter (e.g., temporal_id_poc[j]), a picture parameter setnumber of reference pictures (e.g., number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i]),a picture parameter set picture order count (e.g., poc_pps[i][j]), apicture parameter set picture order count cycle parameter (e.g.,poc_cycle_pps[i][j]) and a picture parameter set temporal identifierpicture order count parameter (e.g., temporal_id_poc_pps [i][j]).

In some configurations, the information poc_cycle[j] may only besignaled (e.g., from an encoder 108 to the decoder 102, 202) if it isdifferent than 0. In this case, an alternate syntax may be defined.

In an yet another configuration, some or all information typicallycontained in the PPS and/or in the buffer descriptions may additionallyor alternatively be carried in a slice header separately from the bufferdescription information. For example, the slice header may carry(separately from the buffer description container) one or more of anumber of reference pictures (e.g., number_of_longterm_pictures), apicture order count (e.g., poc[j]), a picture order count cycleparameter (e.g., poc_cycle[j]), a temporal identifier picture ordercount parameter (e.g., temporal_id_poc[j]), a picture parameter setnumber of reference pictures (e.g., number_of_longterm_pictures_pps[i]),a picture parameter set picture order count (e.g., poc_pps[i][j]), apicture parameter set picture order count cycle parameter (e.g.,poc_cycle_pps[i][j]) and a picture parameter set temporal identifierpicture order count parameter (e.g., temporal_id_poc_pps[i][j]).

In an alternative configuration, a long term (reference) picture may besignaled by indexing it as x.y, where x=poc[j] or poc_pps[i][j] and y isa new information subindex that defines an additionalnamespace/numberspace for subindexing long term (reference) pictures. Inthis case, the x and y entries may be sent in PPS and/or bufferdescriptions (in a slice header) for each long term (reference) picture.

In some configurations, all (reference) pictures (e.g., long-term andshort-term) are referenced using either delta referencing (usingdeltaPOC and temporalID, for example) or absolute referencing (usingPOC, poc_cycle and temporalID, for example). For example, the entiredecoded picture buffer (DPB) may contain a set of received pictures. Asubset of these received pictures may use delta referencing and theremaining received pictures may use absolute referencing. It should benoted that prior approaches do not specify the same absolute referencingas given in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein(using POC and poc_cycle, for example). It should be noted that one ormore of the configurations of buffer descriptions and syntaxes describedmay be implemented in combination with one or more of the methods and/orapproaches described herein.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 300for tracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing basedon a designated picture. An electronic device 204 (e.g., decoder 202)may receive 302 a bitstream. For example, the decoder 202 may receive302 a bitstream 214 that includes an encoded reference picture (andother encoded pictures, for instance). In some configurations, thebitstream 214 may also include overhead information (e.g., PPS, bufferdescription information, parameters, wrap indicators, reference picturedesignation or identifier, etc.).

The electronic device 204 may decode 304 a portion of the bitstream 214to produce a decoded reference picture. For example, the decoder 202 maydecode 304 a portion of the bitstream 214 to produce a decoded referencepicture that is stored in frame memory 264. It should be noted that oneor more portions of the bitstream 214 may be decoded 304 to produce oneor more decoded reference pictures.

The electronic device 204 may track 306 the decoded reference picture ina decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing. Forexample, the electronic device 204 may associate a cycle parameter withthe decoded reference picture and modify (e.g., decrement or increment)the cycle parameter if a wrap indicator is received or if a transitionbetween picture sets is determined. Other approaches may be used fortracking 306 the decoded reference picture. Greater detail is givenbelow. It should be noted that the DPB may include one or more decodedreference pictures.

The electronic device 204 may decode 308 the picture based on one ormore decoded reference pictures. For example, a portion of the bitstream214 (other than the portion decoded 304 to produce the decoded referencepicture) may be decoded 308 based on the reference picture. Forinstance, the decoded reference picture (that has been tracked in theDPB) may be provided to a motion compensation module 260 in order togenerate an inter-frame prediction signal 268 based on an inter-frameprediction mechanism. The inter-frame prediction signal 268 may then beused to decode 310 the picture. In some configurations or instances, oneor more decoded reference pictures may be tracked 306 and used to decode308 the picture.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a more specific configuration of amethod 400 for tracking a reference picture with reduced overheadreferencing based on a designated picture. This method 400 may be oneapproach for tracking which picture is being referenced when POCs arereused. An electronic device 204 (e.g., decoder 202) may receive 402 abitstream 214. For example, the decoder 202 may receive 402 a bitstream214 that includes an encoded reference picture (and other encodedpictures, for instance). In some configurations, the bitstream 214 mayinclude overhead information (e.g., PPS, buffer description information,parameters, wrap indicators, reference picture designation oridentifier, etc.).

The electronic device 204 may decode 404 a portion of the bitstream 214to produce a decoded reference picture. For example, the decoder 202 maydecode 404 a portion of the bitstream 214 to produce a decoded referencepicture that is stored in frame memory 264. It should be noted that oneor more portions of the bitstream 214 may be decoded 404 to produce oneor more decoded reference pictures.

The electronic device 204 may associate 406 a cycle parameter with adecoded picture set that includes the decoded reference picture. Forexample, the electronic device 204 may associate 406 a cycle parameter“poc_cycle” with a decoded picture set that includes the decodedreference picture.

The cycle parameter “poc_cycle” may be defined as follows. When a fixednumber of bits are used to represent the POC of a picture in a range [0,. . . , MaxPOC−1], MaxPOC unique integer values exist. If the number ofpictures being encoded exceeds MaxPOC, a picture numbering mechanismmust reuse already assigned POC values. The POC numbering thenprogresses as follows in one example: . . . , [0, . . . ,MaxPOC−1]_(n−2), [0, . . . , MaxPOC−1]_(n−1), [0, . . . , MaxPOC−1]_(n),[0, . . . , MaxPOC−1]_(n+1), . . . . . The subscript in this exampledenotes the number of times the set [0, . . . , MaxPOC−1] has beenrepeated. This subscript or the number of times the set [0, . . . ,MaxPOC−1] has been repeated may be denoted as MaxPOCSetIndex. Forexample, a picture with POC=0 and MaxPOCSetIndex=n represents the(n*MaxPOC+1)^(th) picture of the sequence (with an assumption thatpicture set numbering starts with 1, for instance). Additional detailregarding the cycle parameter “poc_cycle” is given in connection withFIG. 5 below.

The electronic device 204 may determine 408 whether a wrap indicator isreceived. For example, each time an encoder 108 or transmittingelectronic device A 104 a reaches a predetermined maximum number ofpictures in a set of pictures, the encoder 108 or transmittingelectronic device A 104 a may send a wrap indicator that is received bythe decoder 102 or receiving electronic device B 104 b to indicate thatanother set of pictures is being sent (e.g., a POC is resetting orstarting another cycle). Greater detail is given in connection with FIG.11 below.

If the electronic device 204 determines 408 that a wrap indicator wasreceived, the electronic device 204 may modify 410 (e.g., decrement) thecycle parameter. For example, the electronic device 204 decrements cycleparameters for each picture or each set of pictures in the DPB. Inanother example, the electronic device 204 may increment the cycleparameter.

The electronic device 204 may decode 412 a picture based on the decodedreference picture. For example, a portion of the bitstream 214 (otherthan the portion decoded 404 to produce the decoded reference picture)may be decoded 412 based on the reference picture. For instance, thedecoded reference picture (that has been tracked in the DPB) may beprovided to a motion compensation module 260 in order to generate aninter-frame prediction signal 268 based on an inter-frame predictionmechanism. The inter-frame prediction signal 268 may then be used todecode 412 the picture. In some configurations or instances, one or moredecoded reference pictures may be used to decode 412 the picture.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of multiple picture setsreferenced by cycle parameters. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates anexample of tracking a reference picture with reduced overheadreferencing based on a designated picture using a cycle parameter. Inparticular, FIG. 5 illustrates a cycle parameter (e.g., poc_cycle=−1)associated with picture set A 507 a, a cycle parameter (e.g.,poc_cycle=0) associated with picture set B 507 b and a cycle parameter(e.g., poc_cycle=+1) associated with picture set C 507 c. However, itshould be noted that picture set A 507 a may or may not be the firstpicture set in a sequence of frames. For example, one or more picturesets may precede picture set A 507 a. Furthermore, it should be notedthat picture set C 507 c may or may not be the last picture set in asequence of frames. For example, one or more picture sets may followpicture set C 507 c.

Each picture set 507 a-c may include one or more pictures 501 a-n, 503a-n, 505 a-n. In this example, each picture set 507 a-c includes MaxPOCpictures 501, 503, 505. In particular, each picture 501, 503, 505 mayhave a corresponding picture order count (POC), denoted as [0, 1, 2, . .. , MaxPOC−1] in FIG. 5.

In one example, the poc_cycle of the current decoded picture may be setto 0 for computing the poc_cycle of other pictures. In some cases,pictures may be decoded out of order. For example, a decoder may see 503b, then 505 a and then 503 c. In this example, assume that a picturebeing currently decoded is a picture 503 b in picture set B 507 b withPOC=1. The poc_cycle of another picture, such as a reference picture,may then be calculated based on the poc_cycle of the current decodedpicture.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of multiple picturesets. FIG. 6 contains picture sets 607 a-c similar to the picture sets507 a-c described above in connection with FIG. 5. One or more pictures601 a-c, 603 a-n, 605 a-n may be included in each picture set 607 a-c. Apicture set 607 a-c may include MaxPOC pictures. Further, each picture601 a-c, 603 a-603 n, 605 a-605 n may have a corresponding picture ordercount (POC), belonging to the set [0, 1, 2, . . . , MaxPOC−1] as denotedin FIG. 6.

A picture set 607 may include one or more pictures. For example,pictures 603 a-n in picture set B 607 b may be grouped as a picture set.Likewise, pictures 605 a-n in picture set C 607 c may be groupedtogether into a picture set. A picture set may include pictures that areadjacent to each other when encoded or may consist of random picturesgrouped together. In another example, a picture set may make up apoc_cycle consisting of [0, 1, 2, . . . , MaxPOC−1] pictures.

In some configurations, a picture set 607 a may include an instantaneousdecoding refresh (IDR) picture 603 a (e.g., IDR access unit). The IDRpicture 603 a may be signaled by the encoder in the bitstream.Additionally or alternatively, the IDR may be identified based onpicture type. In some configurations, the IDR picture 603 a may indicateto the decoder 202 that no subsequent pictures in the bitstream 214 willrequire reference to prior pictures in the bitstream 214.

When an IDR picture 603 a is decoded by a decoder 202, the POC may bereset back to a predetermined value. For example, after decoding pictureset A 607 a, an IDR picture 603 a is received or signaled. At thispoint, the POC may be reset back to 0 and a new picture set, picture setB 607 b, begins. In other words, the IDR picture 603 a may specify thereference picture relative to a designated picture. One benefit ofsending an IDR picture 603 a may be to introduce a new referencepicture. This benefit will be described in greater detail below inconnection with FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a more specific example of multiple picture setsreferenced by cycle parameters. FIG. 7 illustrates picture sets 707 a-dand pictures 701, 703, 705 along with their associated POC and poc_cyclesimilar to components 507 a-c, 501, 503, 505, described above inconnection with FIG. 5. Additionally, FIG. 7 shows an addition pictureset 707 d along with associated pictures 731 a-n.

FIG. 7 also illustrates a designated picture 703 a. In oneconfiguration, the cycle parameter (e.g., poc_cycle) for the designatedpicture may be set to 0. For example, when the first picture in apicture set (e.g., POC=0) is a designated picture (e.g., IDR picture),then the poc_cycle for the designated picture may be equal to 0. Thecycle parameter (e.g., poc_cycle) of later picture sets may becalculated with respect to the picture set with the cycle parameter setto 0 (e.g., poc_cycle=0).

One example of a designated picture is an IDR picture 703 a (e.g., IDRaccess unit) similar to the IDR picture 603 a described above inconnection with FIG. 6. For convenience, the designated picture 703 awill be described as an IDR picture. However, it should be noted thatthe designated picture 703 a may be any picture that is indicated by theencoder with signaling in the bitstream or that may be implicitlydetermined by the decoder.

In some configurations, an encoder may send a signal in the bitstreamthat indicates the IDR picture 703 a. The value of the POC counter maybe determined based on this signal. For example, the signal may indicate(to the decoder) to set the POC to 0 for the IDR picture (if the POC isnot 0 for the IDR picture, for example). For instance, the IDR picture703 a may cause a decoder to reset the POC counter to the initial value,0 for instance. The poc_cycle may also be based on the IDR picture 703a. Similar to the POC, the signal may indicate that the poc_cycle shouldbe reset to the initial value. In another example, the signal mayindicate that no modification to the POC or the poc_cycle need occur (ifthey are at the initial value for the IDR picture 703 a).

The IDR picture 703 a may be an indication to set or reset the POC andpoc_cycle (and/or other cycle parameters, for example), which may beused to track a reference picture relative to the designated picture 703a. For example, the decoder 202 may decode pictures 701 a-c in set A 707a. Picture set A 707 a may have the cycle parameter poc_cycle=massociated with it. An IDR picture 703 a may then be signaled from thebitstream 214. The IDR picture 703 a may indicate a new cycle parameter(e.g., poc_cycle=0) and may indicate a POC=0. Picture sets 707 b-d maythen be decoded and their associated cycle parameter may increment fromthe initial value (e.g., poc_cycle=0, poc_cycle=+1, poc_cycle=+2,respectively). In this example, later picture sets 707 b-d arecalculated with respect to the newly set cycle parameter and POC.

As described previously, an IDR picture 703 a may indicate to thedecoder 202 that no subsequent pictures in the bitstream will requirereference to pictures prior pictures in the bitstream 214. However, anIDR picture 703 a may just signal a reset of the POC or of the cycleparameters. For example, picture set A may have a cycle parameter ofpoc_cycle=m where m=+5. When the IDR picture 703 a is received, m may bechanged to be m=−1. Thus, the IDR picture 703 a may make the poc_cyclecount of the reference picture relative to a designated picture. Inother words, the IDR picture 703 a may signal the poc_cycle count tocalculate the reference picture relative to a designated picture in thesequence, not just the current picture.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method 800for tracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencing basedon a designated picture. An electronic device 204 (e.g., decoder 202)may receive 802 a bitstream and decode 804 a portion of the bitstream214 to produce a decoded reference picture. This may occur in a similarmanner as described previously in connection to FIG. 3.

The electronic device 204 may track the decoded reference picture in adecoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing based ona designated picture. This may be accomplished as follows. Theelectronic device 204 (e.g., decoder 202) may determine 806 a designatedpicture. In one configuration, the electronic device 204 may make thisdetermination 806 based on explicit signaling received in the bitstream214. For instance, the bitstream 214 may include an indicator thatspecifies the designated picture. In one example, the designated picturemay be an instantaneous decoding refresh (IDR) picture that is indicatedby signaling (e.g., in a picture parameter set (PPS), in a bufferdescription, etc.) received in the bitstream 214.

The electronic device 204 may determine 808 a picture order count (POC)based on the designated picture. For example, the electronic device 204may set or reset the POC associated with the designated picture. Forinstance, the POC associated with the designated picture may be set to0. Accordingly, the electronic device 204 may reset a POC sequence basedon the designated picture. For example, the POCs for other pictures maybe numbered based on the POC associated with the designated picture 603a as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The electronic device 204 may determine 810 a cycle parameter (e.g.,poc_cycle) based on the designated picture. For example, the cycleparameter associated with a picture set that includes the designatedpicture may be set or reset to 0. The cycle parameters for other picturesets may be determined (e.g., calculated) based on the picture setincluding the designated picture (e.g., IDR picture). One example ofthis is illustrated in and described in connection with FIG. 7.

When the POCs and cycle parameters (e.g., poc_cycles) are determinedbased on the designated picture, the POC and cycle parameter of thedecoded reference picture may be updated as necessary. This may enabletracking of the decoded reference picture in the decoded picture buffer(DPB). Thus, the decoded reference picture may be tracked based on thedesignated picture (e.g., IDR picture).

The electronic device 204 may obtain 812 a decoded reference picturefrom the DPB. For example, the electronic device 204 may retrieve thedecoded reference picture from the DPB according to a POC and cycleparameter (e.g., poc_cycle) that are based on the designated picture.

The electronic device 204 may decode 814 a picture based on the decodedreference picture. This may occur as similarly described above inconnection with FIG. 3. It should be noted that a set of one or moredecoded reference pictures may be tracked in accordance with the method800.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a method900 for tracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencingbased on a designated picture. As described preciously, an electronicdevice 204 may receive 902 a bitstream. The electronic device 204 mayalso decode 904 one or more portions of the bitstream to produce areference picture collection. The decoded reference picture collectionmay include one or more decoded reference pictures.

The electronic device 204 may track 906 the decoded reference picturecollection in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reduced overheadreferencing based on a designated picture. This may be done as describedabove in connection with FIG. 8. Two or more decoded reference picturesin the decoded reference picture collection may refer to the same ordifferent time instances (e.g., similar time instances) as describedabove.

The electronic device 204 may optionally determine 908 whether theresolution of a decoded reference picture (for decoding the picture) inthe decoded reference picture collection is different from a resolutionof the current picture. If the resolution between the two pictures isdifferent, then the electronic device 204 may process 910 the transformcoefficients of the decoded reference picture based on a scalingparameter to decode the picture. A more detailed description regardingthe scaling parameter and resolution switching is given above inconnection with Table (2). It should be noted that the scaling parametermay be determined by receiving the scaling parameter explicitly or bydetermining the scaling parameter implicitly (using a look-up table,picture resolution characteristics, etc., for example).

Regardless of whether the resolutions are the same or different, theelectronic device 204 may decode 912 a picture based on the decodedreference picture collection (e.g., a decoded reference picture in thedecoded reference picture collection).

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating another configuration of a method1000 for tracking a reference picture with reduced overhead referencingbased on a designated picture. An electronic device 204 may receive 1002a bitstream and decode 1004 a portion of the bitstream to produce adecoded reference picture. The electronic device 204 may track 1006 thedecoded reference picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reducedoverhead referencing based on a designated picture. This may be done asdescribed above.

The electronic device 204 may also obtain 1008 a buffer description.Some examples of buffer descriptions are described in detail above. Forinstance, Table (1) and Table (2) above contain examples of variousbuffer descriptions. The buffer descriptions may be received by adecoder as part of the parameter picture set (PPS) from an encoder. Anindex to the appropriate buffer descriptions may also be received by adecoder as a part of a slice header. Once the buffer description isobtained 1008, the electronic device 204 may determine 1010 whether tomodify the buffer description. If the buffer description requires nomodification, then the electronic device 204 may decode 1014 a picturebased on the decoded reference picture. However, if the bufferdescription requires modification, then the electronic device 204 maymodify 1012 one or more entries. Examples of modifying 1012 may includedeleting an entry, adding an entry or replacing an entry. A moredetailed description of deleting, adding or replacing entries may befound above in connection with the description of Listing (4). Once amodification 1012 is complete, the electronic device 204 may decode 1014a picture based on the decoded reference picture.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating one example of signaling a wrapindicator in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein.In this example, several pictures 1101 a-n, 1103 a are illustrated. Thefirst picture 1101 a with POC=0 is a reference picture for the remainderof the pictures 1101 b-n, 1103 a illustrated in FIG. 11. In particular,FIG. 11 illustrates an association or correspondence 1109 between thereference picture 1101 a and the other pictures 1101 b-n, 1103 a. Forexample, the picture 1101 a with POC=0 may be a long term referencepicture 1101 a to be kept in the DPB for decoding other pictures 1101b-n, 1103 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, POC numbers 0 through MaxPOC−1 and a reused 0may respectively correspond to the pictures 1101 a-n, 1103 a. A firstset of pictures 1101 a-n may correspond to POC numbers 0 throughMaxPOC−1. As described above, each set of pictures (with POC numbers 0through MaxPOC−1) may correspond to a cycle parameter (e.g., poc_cycle).

In one configuration, a wrap indicator may be signaled 1133 at the firsttransition between one picture set and a subsequent later picture set.For example, the first time the POC numbering transitions from one [0, .. . , MaxPOC−1] set to the next, the wrap indicator may be signaled1133. In some configurations, the wrap indicator signaled may be aprotected message denoted “poc_wraparound.” As used herein, “signaled”may mean communicated between an encoder and a decoder. In someconfigurations, “signaled” may also mean communicated between differentelectronic devices.

A protected message may be a message that must be received by theelectronic device 204 in order to maintain a desired functionality suchas detection of lost pictures. One mechanism to transmit a message as aprotected message is to assign a higher priority to the protectedmessage when compared to other information messages. An intelligentdevice (e.g., a network congestion control agent) may then examine thispriority assignment and drop lower priority messages to meet constraintssuch as available network bandwidth.

In some configurations, the wrap indicator (e.g., poc_wraparound)message may be signaled in the Picture Parameter Set (PPS), SliceHeader, Adaptive Parameter Set (APS) or any suitable location in thebitstream. Additionally or alternatively, the wrap indicator may besignaled out-of-band (e.g., separate from the picture bitstream). Eachtime the wrap indicator (e.g., poc_wraparound message) is received bythe decoder 102, the cycle parameter (e.g., poc_cycle) for every picture(e.g., every picture set) in the DPB may be decremented (by 1, forexample).

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specificconfiguration of a method 1200 for tracking a reference picture withreduced overhead referencing based on a designated picture. This method1200 may be another approach for tracking which picture is beingreferenced when POCs are reused. An electronic device 204 (e.g., decoder202) may receive 1202 a bitstream. For example, the decoder 202 mayreceive 1202 a bitstream 214 that includes an encoded reference picture.In some configurations, the bitstream 214 may also include overheadinformation (e.g., PPS, buffer description information, parameters,reference picture designation or identifier, etc.).

The electronic device 204 may decode 1204 a portion of the bitstream toproduce a decoded reference picture. For example, the decoder 202 maydecode 1204 a portion of the bitstream 214 to produce a decodedreference picture that is stored in frame memory 264. It should be notedthat one or more portions of the bitstream 214 may be decoded 404 toproduce one or more decoded reference pictures.

The electronic device 204 may associate 1206 a cycle parameter with adecoded picture set that includes the decoded reference picture. Forexample, the electronic device 204 may associate 1206 a cycle parameter“poc_cycle” with a decoded picture set or each picture in a decodedpicture set that includes the decoded reference picture. The cycleparameter “poc_cycle” is described in greater detail above.

The electronic device 204 may determine 1208 whether a transition hasoccurred between picture sets. For example, the transition may bedetermined 1208 by examining the POC of a current picture being decoded(e.g., CurPOC) and comparing it to the POC of the last picture that wasdecoded (e.g., LastPOC). For instance, if the POC of the current picture(e.g., CurPOC) being decoded is less than the POC of the last decodedpicture (e.g., LastPOC) and LastPOC−CurPOC is greater than a thresholdTH_FWD, then a transition from an earlier picture set to a later pictureset may be determined 1208. However, if the POC of the current picturebeing decoded (e.g., CurPOC) is greater than the POC of the last picturethat was decoded (e.g., LastPOC) and CurPOC−LastPOC is greater than athreshold TH_BCKWD, then a transition from a later picture set to anearlier picture set may be determined 1208. For all other cases, it maybe determined 1208 that no transition has occurred. In someconfigurations, the thresholds may take on valuesTH_FWD=TH_BCKWD=MaxPOC/2.

If the electronic device 204 determines 1208 that a transition hasoccurred between two picture sets, the electronic device 204 may modify1210 the cycle parameter. For example, the electronic device 204 maydecrement cycle parameters for each picture or each set of pictures inthe DPB when the transition is from an earlier picture set. In anotherexample, the electronic device 204 may increment the cycle parametersfor each picture or each set of pictures in the DPB when the transitionis from a later picture set. Thus, an update of all reference picturecycle parameters may be carried out with respect to the picture beingdecoded. This update procedure (e.g., determining 1208 whether atransition has occurred between picture sets and possibly modifying 1210the cycle parameter(s)) may be executed once for each picture beingdecoded.

One alternative definition of the cycle parameter “poc_cycle” may bethat the poc_cycle for the picture (currently) being decoded is 0. Thus,the set of pictures that includes the picture currently being decodedmay be 0.

The poc_cycle of any other picture, such as the reference picture, maybe calculated as the MaxPOCSetIndex of the reference picture minus theMaxPOCSetIndex of the picture being decoded. For example, if theMaxPOCSetIndex of the picture being decoded is n and the referencepicture has a MaxPOCSetIndex that is n−1, then the poc_cycle of thereference picture may be (n−1)−n=−1.

It should be noted that the poc_cycle for a reference picture may dependon the MaxPOCSetIndex distance between the reference picture and thepicture being decoded. This can be determined implicitly by keepingtrack of transitions (e.g., determining 1208 whether a transition hasoccurred) between one picture set of [0, . . . , MaxPOC−1] and the otherpicture set [0, . . . , MaxPOC−1] at both the encoder 108 and decoder102.

The electronic device 204 may decode 1212 a picture based on the decodedreference picture. For example, a portion of the bitstream 214 (otherthan the portion decoded 1204 to produce the decoded reference picture)may be decoded 1212 based on the decoded reference picture. For example,the decoded reference picture (that has been tracked in the DPB) may beprovided to a motion compensation module 260 in order to generate aninter-frame prediction signal 268 based on an inter-frame predictionmechanism. The inter-frame prediction signal 268 may then be used todecode 1212 the picture. In some configurations or instances, one ormore decoded reference pictures may be used to decode 1212 the picture.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating one configuration of a method1300 for determining whether a transition has occurred between picturesets. For example, FIG. 13 provides one example of determining 1208whether a transition has occurred between picture sets as illustrated inFIG. 12. The electronic device 204 may determine 1302 whether the POC ofthe current picture being decoded (denoted “CurPOC,” for example) isless than the POC of the last decoded picture (denoted “LastPOC,” forexample). For instance, the electronic device 204 may compare a POC of acurrent picture being decoded (e.g., CurPOC) to a POC of a picture thatwas decoded last (e.g., LastPOC) to make this determination 1302.

If CurPOC<LastPOC, the electronic device 204 may determine 1308 whetherLastPOC−CurPOC is greater than a threshold TH_FWD. If LastPOC−CurPOC isgreater than a threshold TH_FWD, the electronic device 204 may determine1308 that a transition from an earlier picture set to a later pictureset has occurred. However, if LastPOC−CurPOC is not greater than TH_FWD,the electronic device 204 may determine 1308 that no transition hasoccurred.

If CurPOC is not less than LastPOC, then the electronic device 204 maydetermine 1304 whether CurPOC is greater than LastPOC. If the electronicdevice 204 determines 1304 that CurPOC is greater than LastPOC, then theelectronic device 204 may determine 1306 whether CurPOC−LastPOC isgreater than a threshold TH_BCKWD. If the electronic device determines1306 that CurPOC−LastPOC is greater than a threshold TH_BCKWD, then theelectronic device 204 may determine 1306 that a transition from a laterpicture set to an earlier picture set has occurred. If the electronicdevice determines 1306 that CurPOC−LastPOC is not greater than athreshold TH_BCKWD, then the electronic device 204 may determine 1306that no transition has occurred.

If the electronic device 204 determines 1304 that CurPOC is not greaterthan LastPOC, the electronic device may determine 1304 that notransition has occurred. In some configurations, the thresholds may takeon values TH_FWD=TH_BCKWD=MaxPOC/2.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating another more specificconfiguration of a method 1400 for tracking a reference picture withreduced overhead referencing based on a designated picture. This method1400 may be one approach for tracking which picture is being referencedwhen POCs are reused. An electronic device 204 (e.g., decoder 202) mayreceive 1402 a bitstream 214. For example, the decoder 202 may receive1402 a bitstream 214 that includes an encoded reference picture (andother encoded pictures, for instance). In some configurations, thebitstream 214 may include overhead information (e.g., PPS, bufferdescription information, parameters, reference picture designation oridentifier, etc.).

The electronic device 204 may decode 1404 a portion of the bitstream 214to produce a decoded reference picture. For example, the decoder 202 maydecode 1404 a portion of the bitstream 214 to produce a decodedreference picture that is stored in frame memory 264. It should be notedthat one or more portions of the bitstream 214 may be decoded 1404 toproduce one or more decoded reference pictures.

The electronic device 204 may associate 1406 a cycle parameter with adecoded picture set that includes the decoded reference picture. Forexample, the electronic device 204 may associate 1406 a cycle parameter“poc_cycle” with a decoded picture set that includes the decodedreference picture.

The electronic device 204 may determine 1408 whether a transition hasoccurred between picture sets. For example, each time a decoder 102receives a predetermined maximum number of pictures in a set of pictures(and receives an additional picture), the decoder 102 or electronicdevice B 104 b may determine 1408 that a transition has occurred betweentwo picture sets. In another example, each time a decoder 102 detects acycle in POC (e.g., restarting from a maximum value to a minimum value),the decoder 102 or electronic device B 104 b may determine 1408 that atransition has occurred between two picture sets.

If the electronic device 204 determines 1408 that a transition hasoccurred between picture sets, the electronic device 204 may modify 1410(e.g., decrement) the cycle parameter. For example, the electronicdevice 204 decrements cycle parameters for each picture or each set ofpictures in the DPB. In another example, the electronic device 204 mayincrement the cycle parameter.

The electronic device 204 may decode 1412 a picture based on the decodedreference picture. For example, a portion of the bitstream 214 (otherthan the portion decoded 1404 to produce the decoded reference picture)may be decoded 1412 based on the reference picture. For instance, thedecoded reference picture (that has been tracked in the DPB) may beprovided to a motion compensation module 260 in order to generate aninter-frame prediction signal 268 based on an inter-frame predictionmechanism. The inter-frame prediction signal 268 may then be used todecode 1412 the picture. In some configurations or instances, one ormore decoded reference pictures may be used to decode 1412 the picture.

FIG. 15 illustrates various components that may be utilized in anelectronic device 1504. The electronic device 1504 may be implemented asone or more of the electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices 104,204) described previously.

The electronic device 1504 includes a processor 1517 that controlsoperation of the electronic device 1504. The processor 1517 may also bereferred to as a CPU. Memory 1511, which may include both read-onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) or any type of device that maystore information, provides instructions 1513 a (e.g., executableinstructions) and data 1515 a to the processor 1517. A portion of thememory 1511 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).The memory 1511 may be in electronic communication with the processor1517.

Instructions 1513 b and data 1515 b may also reside in the processor1517. Instructions 1513 b and/or data 1515 b loaded into the processor1517 may also include instructions 1513 a and/or data 1515 a from memory1511 that were loaded for execution or processing by the processor 1517.The instructions 1513 b may be executed by the processor 1517 toimplement the systems and methods disclosed herein.

The electronic device 1504 may include one or more communicationinterfaces 1519 for communicating with other electronic devices. Thecommunication interfaces 1519 may be based on wired communicationtechnology, wireless communication technology, or both. Examples ofcommunication interfaces 1519 include a serial port, a parallel port, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB), an Ethernet adapter, an IEEE 1394 businterface, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus interface, aninfrared (IR) communication port, a Bluetooth wireless communicationadapter, a wireless transceiver in accordance with 3^(rd) GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) specifications and so forth.

The electronic device 1504 may include one or more output devices 1523and one or more input devices 1521. Examples of output devices 1523include a speaker, printer, etc. One type of output device that may beincluded in an electronic device 1504 is a display device 1525. Displaydevices 1525 used with configurations disclosed herein may utilize anysuitable image projection technology, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT),liquid crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED), gas plasma,electroluminescence or the like. A display controller 1527 may beprovided for converting data stored in the memory 1511 into text,graphics, and/or moving images (as appropriate) shown on the display1525. Examples of input devices 1521 include a keyboard, mouse,microphone, remote control device, button, joystick, trackball,touchpad, touchscreen, lightpen, etc.

The various components of the electronic device 1504 are coupledtogether by a bus system 1529, which may include a power bus, a controlsignal bus and a status signal bus, in addition to a data bus. However,for the sake of clarity, the various buses are illustrated in FIG. 15 asthe bus system 1529. The electronic device 1504 illustrated in FIG. 15is a functional block diagram rather than a listing of specificcomponents.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any available medium thatcan be accessed by a computer or a processor. The term“computer-readable medium,” as used herein, may denote a computer-and/or processor-readable medium that is non-transitory and tangible. Byway of example, and not limitation, a computer-readable orprocessor-readable medium may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desiredprogram code in the form of instructions or data structures and that canbe accessed by a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray® disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.

It should be noted that one or more of the methods described herein maybe implemented in and/or performed using hardware. For example, one ormore of the methods or approaches described herein may be implemented inand/or realized using a chipset, an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI) or integratedcircuit, etc.

Each of the methods disclosed herein comprises one or more steps oractions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/oractions may be interchanged with one another and/or combined into asingle step without departing from the scope of the claims. In otherwords, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required forproper operation of the method that is being described, the order and/oruse of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departingfrom the scope of the claims.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the preciseconfiguration and components illustrated above. Various modifications,changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the systems, methods, and apparatus described herein withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for tracking a reference picture on anelectronic device, comprising: receiving a bitstream; decoding a portionof the bitstream to produce a decoded reference picture; tracking thedecoded reference picture in a decoded picture buffer (DPB) with reducedoverhead referencing based on a designated picture; and decoding apicture based on the decoded reference picture.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the designated picture is an instantaneous decoding refresh(IDR) picture.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein tracking the decodedreference picture comprises determining a cycle parameter based on thedesignated picture.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cycleparameter is reset based on the designated picture.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein tracking the decoded reference picture comprisesdetermining a picture order count (POC) based the designated picture. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein a picture order count (POC) sequence isreset based on the designated picture.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereina buffer description of the decoded reference picture comprises apicture order count (POC), a cycle parameter, a temporal identifier anda scaling parameter.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a resolution ofthe decoded reference picture is different from a resolution of thepicture.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprisesprocessing transform coefficients of the decoded reference picture basedon a scaling parameter to decode the picture.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein tracking the decoded reference picture comprises tracking adecoded reference picture collection that includes the decoded referencepicture.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein tracking the decodedreference picture comprises: obtaining a buffer description; andmodifying the buffer description.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinmodifying the buffer description comprises at least one of deleting anentry, adding an entry and replacing an entry.
 13. An electronic deviceconfigured for tracking a reference picture, comprising: a processor;memory in electronic communication with the processor; instructionsstored in the memory, the instructions being executable to: receive abitstream; decode a portion of the bitstream to produce a decodedreference picture; track the decoded reference picture in a decodedpicture buffer (DPB) with reduced overhead referencing based on adesignated picture; and decode a picture based on the decoded referencepicture.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the designatedpicture is an instantaneous decoding refresh (IDR) picture.
 15. Theelectronic device of claim 13, wherein tracking the decoded referencepicture comprises determining a cycle parameter based on the designatedpicture.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the cycleparameter is reset based on the designated picture.
 17. The electronicdevice of claim 13, wherein tracking the decoded reference picturecomprises determining a picture order count (POC) based the designatedpicture.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein a picture ordercount (POC) sequence is reset based on the designated picture.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 13, wherein a buffer description of thedecoded reference picture comprises a picture order count (POC), a cycleparameter, a temporal identifier and a scaling parameter.
 20. Theelectronic device of claim 13, wherein a resolution of the decodedreference picture is different from a resolution of the picture.
 21. Theelectronic device of claim 20, wherein the method further comprisesprocessing transform coefficients of the decoded reference picture basedon a scaling parameter to decode the picture.
 22. The electronic deviceof claim 13, wherein tracking the decoded reference picture comprisestracking a decoded reference picture collection that includes thedecoded reference picture.
 23. The electronic device of claim 13,wherein tracking the decoded reference picture comprises: obtaining abuffer description; and modifying the buffer description.
 24. Theelectronic device of claim 23, wherein modifying the buffer descriptioncomprises at least one of deleting an entry, adding an entry andreplacing an entry.